Randeep Sarai

[Black History Month, February 26th, 2024]

Happy Black History Month, Mr. Speaker.

This February, Canadians across the nation have joined together to celebrate Black Canadians and their countless contributions to Canadian society. In my riding of Surrey Centre, there are several Black-led organizations that focus on fostering a safe, inclusive and equitable community.

Just last week, the Minister of Small Business and I met with the Black Business Association of BC to discuss ways to grow its entrepreneurial and enterprising spirits. Others, like the Solid State Community Society, will be bringing Black youth together to discuss anti-Black racism in high schools and examine possible solutions.

Nuru Training Association has long-standing roots in Surrey Centre. This month, the organization is creating opportunities for our community to learn about the history and contributions of Black Canadians.

There are so many incredible organizations like these in Surrey Centre, including the Kingdom Acts Foundation, Umoja, Great Light Healing Community Services Society and the African Womens Empowerment Society. Services like these continue to show Canadians that diversity is our greatest strength.

[Veterans Affairs, February 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, we appreciate and respect the work of the jury members who evaluated the finalists' design concepts. However, the Team Stimson design was the one that veterans of the mission, and their families, felt best represented those who served there and their bravery, sacrifices and losses. The results of the consultation, which are public, were clear. It is important that we listen to our veterans.

[Veterans Affairs, February 9th, 2024]

Mr. Speaker, the national monument to Canada's mission in Afghanistan reflects the sacrifices of 40,000 Canadian people: military, police and civilians.

We listened to over 12,000 veterans and their families in a survey. Overwhelmingly, the majority of those who responded were veterans, and they wanted the Team Stimson design; they say it best reflects their input.

When it comes to honouring the sacrifices of our veterans, we must listen to them. We did, and we will continue to do so.

[Housing, December 7th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, housing is booming across the nation and Surrey Centre is no exception. Our government's rental construction financial initiative will invest more than $82 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home.

My home city of Surrey hosts the fastest-growing economy and fastest-growing population in British Columbia, and our housing strategy reflects Surrey's thriving community.

With a total of $320 million over three projects, residents living in Surrey Centre can expect to move into these 843 new purpose-built rental homes by early 2025. These investments include $146 million for 392 units at Comma King George, $145 million for 373 units at Brightside Tower and $28 million for 78 units at Parker Living. These are on top of the already 94 homes built in Surrey Centre under the rapid housing initiative, for a total of 932 homes in Surrey Centre alone. For the record, that is 10 times more in Surrey Centre than the Conservatives built in all of Canada in 10 years.

Do not believe a word that the Leader of the Opposition says. He talks a lot, but his resumé is rather small. Even if we increase—

[Métis Nation British Columbia, November 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, Métis Nation British Columbia, MNBC, represents the section 35 rights of over 24,000 Métis citizens, advocates for over 98,000 self-identified Métis and represents 39 Métis chartered communities across British Columbia.

MNBC strives to promote a strong future for the Métis people in British Columbia, where the rich Métis culture, heritage and languages thrive. Métis communities achieve strong socio-economic outcomes and Métis rights as an indigenous people are recognized.

On April 13, 2017, the Prime Minister, Métis Nation president Chartier and the president of the MNBC governing members signed the Canada-Métis Nation Accord during the first Crown-Métis Nation Summit in Ottawa, marking a significant step toward a renewed government-to-government relationship based on the recognition of rights, respect and partnership.

I am pleased to have an organization like MNBC headquartered in my beautiful riding of Surrey Centre. Today, its members are here in this gallery advocating for their people.

[Veterans Ombudsman, November 28th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 32(2), it is my honour to table, in both official languages, the 2022-23 annual report of the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman.

[Veterans Affairs, November 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to listen to the stories of women veterans and for our government to ensure we are addressing their needs.

While the work of the parliamentary committee is independent, it is doing a study on this very task. It is undertaking this important study on women veterans. We commit to acting on this. We urge all parliamentarians to put aside any partisan politics in order to take the time to listen to those women and hear what they have to say so we can make their lives a lot better in the future.

[World War II Veterans, November 9th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to acknowledge two incredible and brave World War II veterans, Major Naib Singh Grewal and Subedar Kanwal Jit Singh.

There were over 365,000 Sikh soldiers who fought with us and our allies during World War I and World War II, and Major Naib Singh Grewal and Subedar Kanwal Jit Singh were two of them.

Major Naib Singh Grewal served from 1939 to 1945, and Subedar Kanwal Jit Singh served from 1939 to 1947. Both Major Naib Singh Grewal and Subedar Kanwal Jit Singh were a part of some of the most decisive battles of the Burmese front at Imphal and Kohima.

Major Naib Singh Grewal is set to celebrate his 101st birthday in just a few days, and Subedar Kanwal Jit Singh just celebrated his 100th birthday in September.

The Indian Ex-Servicemen Society in my home city of Surrey has been essential in reconnecting Indian veterans and ensuring their well-being through events that are put on throughout the year.

As Veterans' Week wraps up, let us all remember the sacrifices they took to ensure our freedom, safety and well-being.

[Veterans Affairs, November 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, it is our government's commitment, and I can assure the member on behalf of the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, that women will always participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies. Their participation is a must.

[Business of Supply, November 2nd, 2023]

Madam Speaker, I wanted to ask the member if she has also advised that constituent of hers that the rebate would not be coming. If we take off the carbon price, the $720 a year a family makes in many jurisdictions would also go away. Are constituents being reminded that 90% or 80% of families are actually getting more than what they pay, but if we remove a carbon price on something, they would also not be getting those other funds? Where would the Conservatives compensate and help that constituent with that shortcoming in their pocketbook?